Local IT provider completing build-out of digital e-commerce platform

Christopher Gayle
(left), Software Developer of Gizzada Limited was more than delighted to show a brief model of the future payment system at the AIS Briefing of Quisk/QMall alongside Mr. Douglas Halsall (left), Chairman and CEO of Advanced Integrated Systems (AIS) and Acting General Manager at Jamaica Packaging Industries, Joy Roberts-Williams (centre).

IT solutions provider, Advanced Integrated Systems has revealed that it's well advanced in the completion of a digital e-commerce platform called Q-Mall.

This platform is being likened to Amazon or Alibaba, and could mean a complete transformation and disruption in the local retail sector. It could also mean an expansion of commerce outside of Jamaica, since digital platforms are not limited by geography.

It aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with an increased chance of success and encourages entrepreneurship by reducing capital costs that would be invested in acquiring a physical location for sales.

Chairman and CEO of Advanced Integrated Systems Douglas Halsall

The future of retail is Digital. In this regard, Q-Mall enables SMEs to navigate this fundamental shift in retail operation, by providing a highly innovative and integrated e-commerce platform with a comprehensive set of tools for managing every aspect of digital commerce, including inventory, ordering processing, logistics and packaging, marketing and loyalty.

Q-Mall does all the 'heavy lifting', allowing vendors to focus on providing great products and services.

It will be the only platform in the Caribbean to have a payment gateway linked to Quisk, a mobile money platform. Quisk is a game-changer, opening up e-commerce to persons of all income levels, particularly those who do not have a credit card.

“Over 75 per cent of retail transactions are still settled in cash and less than 15 per cent of Jamaicans have credit cards - a major impediment to e-commerce. Quisk solves that issue,” Douglas Halsall, chairman of Advanced Integrated Systems explained.

The combination of Q-Mall and Quisk, two AIS products, could address the issue of financial inclusion and facilitate business development and entrepreneurship. Q-Mall will provide merchants with a choice of payment platforms, virtual storefront and backend logistics support including delivery, which could unleash a tsunami of entrepreneurial energy in manufacturing, services, transport, remote healthcare, retail and logistics.

It allows customers to engage in various activities online by tailoring their experience to purchase products that are more convenient for delivery.

Chairman of Jamaica Packaging Industries (JPI), Mr. Conrad George (left) was extremely focused on the details of the future marketplace at the AIS Briefing of Quisk/QMall, as Mr. Howard Mitchell (left), President of PSOJ browse through the physical outline of the newly implemented system at the AIS office recently.

AIS has already has preliminary discussions with the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce and JAMPRO. Both organizations were encouraged by the initiative, saying it is likely to be a game-changer.

President of the PSOJ, Howard Mitchell described it as: ‘Finally somebody in Jamaica has opened the door to the 21stcentury, exceptional work!'

“SMEs will now have an avenue through which to market and sell their goods in Jamaica, across the Caribbean and in other international markets, allowing them to expand and provide additional employment. It is also a great opportunity for start-ups who can sell their products without high start-up costs including rental. The possibilities are endless,” Halsall continued.

World Bank studies indicate that the digitization of cash could add multiple points to GDP.

Halsall is certain that this could be the fillip that the Government’s five in four initiative needs at this time. The government has made a commitment to the Economic Growth Council to achieve a number of objectives that will lead to widespread economic improvement accessible to all Jamaicans, including the most vulnerable.

“Mobile Money is the first step in digitization that will lead to financial inclusion and a jump in GDP, this could be the impetus needed,” Halsall ended.

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